Houston Dynamo vs Vancouver Whitecaps Match Prediction

By Richard McTiernan

Houston Dynamo secured an impressive 4-0 win over Atlanta United in the opening game of the 2018 campaign. A horrendous defensive display from the opposition was taken advantage by Houston, who scored through Andrew Wenger, Phillippe Senderos, and Mauro Manotas inside the 27 minutes. Darwin Ceren made it a 4-0 score for Houston in the 45th minute, while Hugo Almiron went on to miss a penalty for Atlanta. Vancouver Whitecaps secured bragging rights over Canadian rivals Montreal Impact after a 2-1 win at the BC Place stadium. Kei Kamara and Alphonso Davies came up with two goals in the space of seven second-half minutes to give Vancouver a decisive lead, but there was to be no clean sheet as Matteo Mancosu scored in the 81st minute.

Here we have our SBAT match preview with all the best predictions, betting tips and match stats.

Betting Tips and Predictions

Houston will not be expecting another big win, as Vancouver Whitecaps will be coming in with the stern opposition. Both these teams reached the conference semi-finals last year and are looking to go the distance this time around. This match is between two teams that dominated the Western Conference for different reasons: Vancouver with the best away record and Houston with the best home run. However, Houston Dynamo have been able to pick up four wins in the last five home matches against Vancouver. I would go with a slender win for Houston Dynamo. The two teams have plenty of attacking threat that should ensure a lot of goals for fans. The last two games between the two clubs have finished as a 2-1 win in favour of the home team. Since both clubs have a strong offensive capability, I would choose over 2.5 goals in this game.

Houston Dynamo win – 8/11

Total goals over 2.5 – 13/20

Houston Dynamo saw over 1.5 goals in 8 out of their last 10 games played

Houston Dynamo saw over 1.5 goals in 8 out of their last 10 games played against Vancouver Whitecaps

Vancouver Whitecaps saw over 1.5 goals in 10 out of their last 10 games played

Vancouver Whitecaps saw over 1.5 goals in 8 out of their last 10 games played against Houston Dynamo

FC Dallas

LA Galaxy

Toronto FC

Sporting Kansas City

FT 1 - 4

(HT 1 - 0)

D
A

21-10-2018

Major League Soccer

Los Angeles FC

FT 2 - 2

(HT 2 - 1)

W
H

28-10-2018

Major League Soccer

Portland Timbers

FT 2 - 1

(HT 2 - 0)

Houston Dynamo Preview

An impressive 4-0 win puts Houston in a commanding position after the first game of the season, but manager Wilmer Cabrera will be quick to remind his players that much better opposition will be coming along in the campaign. Houston need not be reminded of the impressive start in the 2017 campaign, but the conclusion to the season was less than spectacular. This time around, the team will be looking to maintain the performances over the course of the regular and play-off campaign. Just like last season, Houston’s attack looks one of the potent in the league.

Houston Dynamo Team News

George Malki is doubtful with a concussion, while Juan Cabezas (thigh) and A. J. DeLaGarza (cruciate ligament) are also unavailable for the game.

Vancouver Whitecaps Preview

The new signings produced the desired impact for Carlo Robinson’s Vancouver Whitecaps, as they secured a comfortable win over Montreal Impact. The team may not have been able to cling onto the clean sheet, but getting one over the rivals in the first match of the season is a positive sign. Vancouver put together a strong surge of form towards the end of the 2018 campaign, but even that momentum did little to help the team in the conference semi-finals.